On the football front, Newcastle United were still finding their feet in the new Division Two and working to create a sound financial base to secure the young club’s future.

The ultimate goal was promotion to the promised land of Division One where they could rub shoulders with “big boys” like Sheffield United, Preston North End, and Aston Villa, who would win the league and FA Cup double in 1896-97.

Down in the second tier, watched by an average home crowd of 8,500, United competed with other sides battling to establish themselves.

The Magpies saw off Newton Heath (later to be Manchester United) 2-0 at Gallowgate, while Woolwich Arsenal were beaten by the same scoreline, and Manchester City were despatched 3-0.

Not for the last time in the club’s history, the season saw impressive home form (13 wins in 15 games) undermined by poor form on the road (four away wins in 15).

Come the end of the campaign, United finished fifth, while top scorer was Richard Smellie!

Newcastle would have to wait a little longer before hitting the big time.